Platen printing-machine



(No Model.) '7 SheetsSheet 1. F. MEISEL. PLATEN PRINTING MACHINE.

No. 431,274. Patented July 1, 1890.

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(No Model.)

F. MEISEL. PLATBN PRINTING MACHINE.

Patented July 1, 1890.

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7 Sheets-Sheet 3. F. MEISEL. PLATEN PRINTING MACHINE.

Patented July 1 1890,. W

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7 Sheets-She et .4. F. MEISEL. PLATBN PRINTING MACHINE.

No. 431,274. Patented July 1, 1890.

wih aa 7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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F. MEISEL, PLATEN PRINTING MACHINE.

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PLATEN PRINTING MACHINE.

Patented July 1, 1890 (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 7. P. MEISEL. PLATBN PRINTING MAGHINB.

Patented July 1, 1890.

v; lilllllll on the line .2 z-of Figs. 6 and 7.

and the cams which operate the same.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS MEISEL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO w. FAIR- CHILD AND M. L. FORD, BOTH or ONEONTA, NEW YORK.

PLATEN PRINTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,274, dated July 1, 1890. Application filed June 24, 1889. Serial No. 315,418. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS MEIsEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Platen Printing-Machines Adapted to Print from a Continuous W eb, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of one side of my improved printing-machine. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the opposite side. Fig. 3 is a plan of the machine. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 00 :c of Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the toggle which gives motion to the reciprocating type-bed and reciprocating platen Fig. '7 is a vertical section of the same on the line y y of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation Fig. 9 is an enlarged side elevation of the inking apparatus. Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional detail of the same. Fig. 11 is a detail of the gripping device which is located under the inking fountain. Fig. 12 is a vertical section on the line w w of Fig. 5; Fig. 13, a detail of one of the gripping devices which are secured to the reciprocating platen. Fig. 14 is a detail showing the brake mechanism which acts upon the roll of paper to prevent it from unwinding too freely.

My invention relates to that class of platen printing-machines where the paper is taken from a continuous web or roll and in which two type-beds and two platens are employed; and my invention consists in certain novel combinations of parts and details of construction, as hereinafter fully set forth and spe cifically claimed.

In the said drawings, A represents the frame-work of the machine, between the side pieces of which is secured a heavy casting B, the upper side of which forms the stationary type-bed I), while the lower side forms the stationary platen c.

O represcntsthe reciprocating type-bed, 1oeated immediately under the stationary platen and having secured to its opposite ends heavy slides (Z, which move invertical guideways cc in the frame-work, as seen in Fig. 12.

D represents the reciprocating platen,which is located immediately over the stationary type-bed b and is secured to a yoke E, the ends of which move in vertical gnideways a in the frame-Work A. The platen D is made adjustable vertically with respect to the yoke E by means of screws, as seen in 5. On these type-beds Z) O the type-forms are imposed in the usual manner.

Immediately under the reciprocalin g typebed 0 is placed a toggle G, the lower member f of which is supported in suitable hearings in the frame-work, and has secured thereto outside the frame-Work at its opposite ends cranks 20, to which are pivoted pitinen [I H, the upper ends of which are pivoted to the yoke E,Which carries the reciprocating platen. The upper member 9 of the toggle G is pivoted to a plate 25, secured by bolts 26, Figs. 1 and 5, to the under side of the reciprocating type-bed O, and thus, through the connections described, as the toggle G is operated the reciprocating type-bed and reciprocatingplatcn, which are of the same or nearly of the same Weight, are moved simultaneously in oppositedirections to cause them respectively to eooperate with the stationary platen. and stationary type-bed reproduce the impressions,

as hereinafter described, a single revolution of the drivingshaft producing two impressions, one on each side of the sheet. The reciprocating type-bed C is made adjustable vertically by means of a wedge 27, which is placed between the plate 25 and the under side of the recirnocating type-bed, and is operated by adjusting-screws 28, whereby the degree of impression is regulated as desired.

By thus connecting the reciprocating typebed and. reciprocating platen so that they will move simultaneously in opposite directions, as described, it will be Obvious that they will balance each other in their alternate ascent and descent, the weight of the one in its descent counterbalancing and assisting to raise the other in its aseent,whereby the power required to Operate the machine is reduced to a minimum, and a great saving thereby cffected.

The toggle G is operated as follows: On one side of the lower memberf is formed an arm 71., to which is pivoted a slotted connectingpiece I, which Slides on boxes 7- on the main shaft 2', said boxes working in slots Z in the sides of the connecting-piece I. WVithin this connecting-piece I is placed the main cam L, which is secured to the main shaft 11 and acts on the cam-roll m to close the toggle G to give the impressions. Outside the conneeting-piece I is secured on the main shaft LI another cam M, which works on a roll a, mounted on a stud at the rear end of the connecting-piece I, and serves to open the toggle and return the parts to their normal positions. These cams L M are so formed and timed as to permit the reciprocating type-bed and reciproeating platen to remain at rest during such time as is required for the forms to be inked and the paper to be drawn through the machine for the succeeding impressions by apparatus to be hereinafter described.

To the main shaft i is secured a large gear N,which is driven by a train of gears from the driving-shaft p, the latter carrying a fly or balance wheel q and the usual fast and loose pulleys.

I will now describe the inking apparatus by means of which the forms are inked after each impression is taken. Each of the type-forms is inked bya pair of form-rollers?" r,the journals of the shafts of which run in bearingsin carriages 3, Figs. 5, 9, and 10, which slide in horizontal guideways 6, adj ustably secured to the frame A by means of bolts a, passing through slots 1) in said frame, whereby the degree of pressure of the rollers r 9" upon the type-forms can be regulated with the utmost nicety. Each pair of these carriages is secured to a pair of long rack-bars c c'-one on each side of the frame A-which slide in suitable ways in said frame, and are actuated by drivinggears 61' e, secured to horizontal shafts f g. To one end of the upper shaft .1 1 I ,I 40 f outside the frame A, is seemed a gear L which meshes with an intermediate gear is, rotating on a stud Z. The gear meshes with a gearm on the lower shaft g, to which is also secured a pinion n, which meshes with a toothed segment 19' at the upper end of a bell-crank lever Q, fulcrumed at g. This le- Ver Q carries two cam-rollers r s, which are acted upon by two cams t u on the main shaft 2', and thus through the connections described, as the lever Q is moved in the direction of the arrow, Figs. 2 and f), by the cam both the upper and lower sets of form-rollers are moved over the forms from one end to the other, and then immediately returned to their original positions by means of the cam u, acting on the roll .9, which rocks the lever Q in the opposite direction, the form-rollers being thus moved forward and back over the forms to ink the same at each complete revolution of the main shaft, the mechanism being so timed that the form-rollers will remain at rest during the time that the impressions are being taken.

The two sets of form-rollers r r are supplied with ink by two ink-cylinders R S, mounted on the shafts f g, and free to rotate on the same and independently thereof. To a hub at one end of the lower cylinder S is secured a gear '0, which meshes with a gear 20 011 a short shaft a carrying at its outer end a gear 12 which meshes with the large gear N, Figs. 1, 9, and 10, on the main shaft 2'. The upper ink-cylinder R has secured to a hub at one'of its ends a gear 0 which meshes with a gear (Z on a short shaft 6 carrying at its outer end a gear f which meshes with an intermediate gear g which in turn meshes with the gear 17 the two ink-cylinders being thus connected so as to rotate at the same speed and in the same direction, both being driven continuously by the large gear N on the main shaft As before stated,the ink-cylinders R S are mounted loosely on the shafts f and g in order to permit the said shafts to revolve intermittingly in opposite directions, as is necessary to produce the required movements of the form-rollers which are operated thereby.

The ink-cylinders R S are supplied with ink by distributer-rolls 70 and vibrator rolls Z of the usual construction, which are supplied by ductor-rolls m from the fountainrolls a in the fountains p The upper and lower ductor-rolls are supported in slotted arms 1' on the horizontal shafts .5 to one end of each of which is secured a lever 29, the two levers i being connected by a rod ta The lower shaft 8 is provided with a lever '0 carrying a cam-roll 21,which is acted upon by a cam 10 secured to the large gear N on the main shaft 2', and by these connections the necessary movements of these rolls are produced to accomplish the desired results at the proper times.

The vibrator rolls are operated by a T- shaped lever a Figs. 1 and 4, operated bya rod 12 the lower end of which is pivoted on a crank-pin on the end of the main shaft t'.

The fountain-rolls n are operated by suitable well-known mechanism, which forms no part of my invention, and will not, therefore, be described.

I will now describe the mechanism by which the web of paper is fed or drawn forward intermittingly between the type-beds and platens.

The roll of paper T ismounted on a horizontal shaft, the journals of which rest in suitable bearings in the frame A, as seen in Figs. 1, 2, 5, and let. The web of paper from the rollT is first carried between two unwinding-rolls 0 (F, by which it is unwound and caused to hang in a loop 22, which prevents it from being broken when suddenly drawn forward from a state of rest by the drawing or feed rolls to be hereinafter described. The shaft of the lower roll 0 which gives motion to the paper, is provided at one end with a ratchet and pawl mechanism driven bya pinion, with which engages a rack-bar e one end of which is adjustablysecured in a slotted crank f secured to the outer end of the main shaft, whereby the length of the paper unwound or drawn off from the roll T may be varied in accordance with the length of the IIe sheet to be printed. The paper is held down on the lower roll 0 with sufficient friction to insure its positive movement by means of the roll (1 which is covered with rubber or other suitable material, and is clamped down upon the roll 0 by means of an eccentric shaft 7L3, which is connected by links at each end with the journal-boxes of the friction-roll (Z The necessary friction is applied to the roll of paper T to prevent it from unwinding too freely by means of an automatic brake mechanism consisting of a friction-roll 30, mounted in a frame 31, pivoted at 32, and operated by a cord having secured thereto a weight 34, said cord being secured to the frame at 35 and passing over a pulley 36, the weight serving to keep the roll 30 constantly in contact with the paper as the diameter of the roll Tdiminishcs. This roll 30 is provided with flanged collars 37, which serve as guides for the edges of the paper, these collars being madeadjust able longitudinally on the roll for paper of different widths. The paper, after passing between the rolls a d, hangs in a loop, as above described, in which is placed a roll 2' which is free to move vertically in guides in the frame-work, as seen in Figs. 5 and 14, and serves to maintain a slight tension on the paper as it is drawn forward, thus keeping it in its proper position, The paper next passes between two shafts Z thence horizontally between the stationary platen c and the reciprocating type-bed G, and thence through a gripping device U, to be hereinafter described, which serves to hold the paper at that point immovably and tightly stretched during the movement of the reciprocating platen and reciprocating type-bed and while the impressions are being taken. The paper then passes under the roll 172?, made adjustable horizontally by means of the screws n turning in threaded apertures in the sliding frame 13 which carries the roll m for the purpose of producing accurate registration and determining the length of the interval of paper between two impressions. The screws n are connected by bevel-gears with a shaft which is adapted to be turned by hand by means of a crank-handle applied to the end of the shaft. The paper passes from the roll m over a roll 0- and through a second gripping device V, to be hereinafter described; thence down around a small rod 5 after which it passes horizontally between the stationary type-bed Z) and the upper reciprocating platen D; thence through a third gripping device A, to be hereinafter described, and over a roll 25 made adjustable horizontally in the same manner as the roll m above described, and by adjusting the said roll i the cutting-knives to be hereinafter described are caused to sever the paper at the exact point desired. The paper now passes to the feed or drawing rolls Ll/ 10 between which it is tightly gripped and by which it is fed or drawn forward intermittingly after the impressions have been taken, the length of paper drawn forwardat each operation of the feed-rolls corresponding to that of a single detached sheet after it is printed.

The upper feed-roll 10 consists of a shaft provided with two or more disks, which bear upon the margins of the paper, as usual, this roll 10 being moved solely by the friction of its disks against the paper as it passes between them and the lower roll M The shaft of the lower roll "a is provided with a ratchetand-pawl mechanism,which is driven by a pinion which engages with and is rotated by a rack-bar a, the lower end of which adj ustably secured to the slotted crank f at the same pointas the rack-bar 6 whereby the two rack-bars are moved simultaneously an equal distance at each revolution of the main shaft, thus causing the unwinding-rolls and the feed or drawing rolls, which are of the same diameter, to rotate together with the same surface velocity, whereby the length of paper unwound from the roll T exactly equals that drawn forward by the feed-rolls, while as the two rack-bars c and e are pivoted to the crank f 3 on the same center any adj ustmentof one will necessarilyproduce the same adjustment of the other and by the same single movement, and in this manner by simply adjusting this mechanism to produce more or less rotation of the unwinding and feed rolls the length or size of the sheet to be printed can be varied as desired, thus adapting the machine for the different kinds of work required in a general printing establishment.

The gripping device U, Figs. 5, 9, and 11, consists of a horizontal bar I), secured to the frame A, and carrying a plate cflwhich serves to prevent the paper from dropping onto the form-rollers r. 'The opposite ends of this plate c' are provided with bearings for a shaft d, to which are secured rubber-covered fingers 2 To one end of the shaft (1 is secured a short arm or lever f, which is'depressed to cause the fingers c to clamp the paper firmly onto the plate 0 by means of a vertically-sliding rod 72. which works in a guide 1' on the frame, and is provided with collars 70' Z", Figs. 9 and 11, and over this rod 71 slides a lug m projecting from one of the arms r which support the ductor-roll, a spiral spring n be ing placed around the rod h between the collar Z and the lug m, and thus as this arm r is vibrated to work the ductor-roll motion is transmitted through the spring a, collar Z, and rod h to the lever f, whereby the gripper is operated to clamp the paper, the fingers e being opened to release the paper by the action of a spring p, placed beneath the lever f The gripping device WV consists of a horizontal shaft a supported in bearin gs in. brackets b secured to the reciprocating platen D, and a horizontal roll 0 placed thereunder, and also having its bearings in the brackets 6 The shaft a has secured to it rubbcr-covered fingers (Z and to one end of said shaft is secured a lever 6 which is actuated. in one direction by a spring f to cause the fingers (Z to clamp the paper down upon the roll as seen in Fig. 13. This lever is movedin the opposite direction to raise the fingers (Z and release the paper by a pin g projecting from the inside of the frame A into the path of the lever 6 this pin being so placed that the lever 6 will come into contact therewith just before the platen reaches the limit of its upward movement, whereby the fingers (Z are raised and the paper released to allow it to be fed forward, as previously described.

The gripping device A consists of a shaft i carrying rubber-covered fingers k which co-operate with a roll Z, placed thereunder. The shaft 1' and roll Fare supported in bearings in arms m secured to the reciprocating platen D, and the gripper-shaft is operated by a lever, spring, and pin in a manner similar to those of the gripping device \V and simultaneously therewith and with the gripping device U first described, these three gripping devices serving to hold the paper securely at the desired points during the move ment of the reciprocating platen and reciprocatin g type-bed and while the impressions are being taken, and insuring accurate register necessary to produce perfect work.

I will now describe the mechanism by means of which the printed sheets are severed from the web and delivered onto a table B.

r is the lower knife-blade, which is immovably secured to a tie-bar s fastened to the frame A. Immediately over the knife 1' is placed the movable knife-blade t, which is secured to a horizontal bar a, connected by means of swinging links o to, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and at, to the frame A above at the points a I). The link 10 is connected by means of a bifurcated link a with a bar a, secured to the yoke E, which carries the reciprocating platen D, and thus as the latter is carried down, as described, the knife t through the connections described, is swung downward on its pivoted links '0 20 and caused to co-operate with the stationary knife 0 to sever the printed sheet from the web when the latter is at rest.

The sheet-delivery-apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings is described and claimed in a separate application for patent filed by me December 21, 1889, Serial No. 334,526, and hence forms no part of the present invention,

VVhatI claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an intermittent web-prin ting machine, the combination, with a vertically-reciprocating platen co-operating with a stationary typebed, and a vertically-reciprocating type-bed co-operating with a stationary platen, substantially as described, of a toggle actuated by cams and adapted to operate the said reciprocating type-bed and having its lower member provided with cranks 20, connected by pitmen II II with the reciprocating platen,

whereby the reciprocating type-bed and reciprocating platen are caused to move simultaneously in opposite directions and balance each other, substantiallv'as described.

2. I11 an intermittent Web-printing machine having two platens and two type-beds, the two sets of form-rollers r r, mounted in carriages s, sliding in horizontal ways i, in combination with the rack-bars c c, secured to said roller-carriages, the actuating-gears d e on the shafts f g, the gears z" 76' m, pinion n, bell-crank lever Q, with its toothed segmentp meshing with the pinion n, and the actuating-cams t u on the shaft 1, alloperating intermittently, substantiallyin the m an- .ner and for the purpose set forth.

3. On a web-printing machine, the combination, with the form-rollers 7', carriages s, sliding in horizontal ways i, the rack-bars c c, actuating-gears d e, and their shaftsf g, geared together and rotated intermittingly in opposite directions, as described, of the inkcylinders R S, mounted loosely in the shafts f g, geared together and rotating independently thereof, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a Web-printing machine having two type-beds and two platens, the combination, with the reciprocating platen, of the two gripping devices W A, secured to opposite sides of said platen and adapted to hold the paper firmly during the movement of the recipro-- eating platen and reciprocating type-bed and while the impressions are being taken, substantially as described.

5. In a web-printing machine having two type-beds and two platens, the combination, with the reciprocating platen and the two gripping devices IV A, secured to opposite sides of said platen, of the gripping device U, located outside and close to the lower platen, and adapted to co-operate with the said gripping devices IV A for the purpose of holding the paper tightly stretched in its proper position during the movement of the reciprocating platen and reciprocating typebed andwhile the impressions are beingtaken, substantially as set forth.

6. In a web-printing machine, the combination, with the reciprocating platen D, of the lower stationaryknife-blade 7- the movable knife-blade lf", hung on swinging links 11 10 and suitable connections between the movable knife-blade tand the reciprocating platen, whereby the movement of 'the latter is communicated to the knife 15 to operate the same at the proper time, substantially as described.

IVitness my hand this 10th day of June, A. D. 1889.

F RANCIS MEISEL.

In presence of P. E. TESCHEMACHER, HARRY W. AIKEN. 

